Coronavirus and Education

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The Coronavirus Pandemic has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), spanning its impact on many countries and territories. Being a novel virus, the cause of COVID-19 is still unknown, although its transmission through direct contact with respiratory dropl

The Coronavirus Pandemic has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), spanning its impact on many countries and territories. Being a novel virus, the cause of COVID-19 is still unknown, although its transmission through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing) is known. Infection can also be from an individual's touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). Communities all over the globe have been actively participating and taking action to prevent further transmission, reduce the impacts of the outbreak, and support control measures while the virus continues to spread.

 

The educational systems worldwide have been affected by the current pandemic. Attempts to stem the spread of the virus through non-pharmaceutical mediations and preventive measures such as social-distancing and self-isolation have prompted the widespread closure of primary, secondary, and tertiary schooling in over 100 countries.

 

The closure not only impacted students, teachers, and families but possess far-reaching economic and societal consequences. Various social and economic issues, including student debt, digital learning, food insecurity, and homelessness, furthermore, access to child care, health care, housing, internet, and disability services have led to certain diffidence in response to cessation due to the pandemic. The impact is more grave for deprived children and their families, causing interrupted learning, compromised nutrition, childcare problems, and consequent economic cost to families unfit to work.

 

Considering the obscurity of the situation, countries are in different stages of reopening institution. It should be consistent with each country’s overall COVID-19 health response to protect students, staff, teachers, and their families. Some practical measures that institutions can implement include: Restricting sick students, teachers, and other staff, daily disinfection and cleaning of surfaces, Schools should provide water, decontamination procedures, sanitation, and waste management facilities, following environmental cleaning and, promoting social distancing.




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